Claim by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that his successor, Governor Uba Sani, has a kidnap gang in the police has drawn reactions from the latter.
El-Rufai had tweeted that Governor Sani’s alleged kidnap gang in the police abducted Jafaru Sani, a former Commissioner while he was in the saddle of the State.
Reacting to the former FCT Minister’s allegation, the Kaduna State Police Command via a statement its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan released, said the police harboured no kidnap gang.
It stated that it was within the right of the police to arrest, investigate and prosecute individuals and organisations if petitioned.
Quoting the statement: “The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a statement credited to former Governor of the State, Malam Nasir El Rufai, on his X handle, wherein he alleged that one of his former Commissioner Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by what he referred to as “Uba Sani’s kidnapping gang,’’ which he claimed to be the police.
“The former Governor further stated that Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police First Information Report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.
“To put the records straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigerian Police Force. The Nigerian Police as an institution, is created by the 1999 Constitution. The statutes mandate the Police to maintain law and order.
“In the discharge of this constitutional duty, the police have the legal, legitimate and constitutional right to arrest and investigate whoever is alleged or suspected to have committed an offence.
“Individuals, corporate organisations and government etc, Have the right to lodge a formal complaint to police and the police have the mandate to investigate such allegations and when it’s believed that an offence has been committed such matter be prosecuted or referred to court.
“The Command urges the members of public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.
“We urge individuals to always verify allegations before making any public statements. Making unverified allegations against security agencies not only mislead the public but also have the potential of undermining the law enforcement agencies.
“Citizens are encouraged to seek legal redress if they feel aggrieved, rather than resort to inflammatory comments that will heat up the polity.”
